Specs, fluids & service · 1979–1991

Mercedes-Benz G-Class W460 specs, fluids and service intervals

The numbers you need in the garage, on one page: spec sheet, capacities and service intervals, wheels and tires, and the parts to order. Sourced from owners, specialists and the factory; tags marked confirm in manual haven't been checked against a factory source yet.

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Spec sheet

CHASSIS	W460
YEARS	1979–1991
BUILT BY	Steyr-Daimler-Puch, Graz
WHEELBASE	2,400 / 2,850 mm
DRIVE	Part-time 4WD, low range
TRANSFER CASE	VG 080
LOCKERS	Front & rear (std from 1985)
ENGINES	2.0–2.8 L petrol, 2.4–3.0 L diesel
ORIGINAL TIRE	205 R16
ALSO SOLD AS	Puch G · Peugeot P4 (licence)
SUCCEEDED BY	W461 (work) · W463 (civilian)

By year

YEARS	PLATFORM	ENGINE	OUTPUT	NOTES
1979–1982	230 G	M115 2.3 L I4 (carburettor)	90 PS	Early petrol; four-speed manual
1982–1990	230 GE	2.3 L I4, fuel-injected	≈125 PS	Fuel injection arrived in 1982. Auto Bild rates it a top pick
1979–1990	280 GE	M110 2.8 L I6 (K-Jetronic)	≈150–156 PS	The most powerful W460; Dakar winner in 1983
1979–1987	240 GD	OM616 2.4 L I4 diesel	72 PS	0–100 km/h in 32 seconds, according to Mercedes
1979–1991	300 GD	OM617 3.0 L I5 diesel	88 PS	The most popular W460, and the engine in Otto
1987–1991	250 GD	OM602 2.5 L I5 diesel	84 PS	Later diesel with hydraulic valve lifters
1986–1991	200 GE (Italy)	M102 2.0 L I4	118 PS	A tax special for Italy and other markets

Fluids, capacities & service intervals

Assume nothing was done. Classic & Sports Car tells buyers to ask about oil changes for the engine, gearbox, transfer box and diffs, and most W460s are now 35 to 45 years old. Change every fluid, fix the cooling system and get the locker hydraulics working before the first trail trip. Factory capacities vary by engine and gearbox, so check the manual for your truck's numbers.

ITEM	SPEC / CAPACITY	INTERVAL	NOTES & PARTS
Engine oil & filter	Oil grade per manual for your engine confirm in manual	At purchase, then per manual	Filters differ by engine: 300 GD/240 GD, 280 GE, 230 GE and 230 G (M115) each have their own part.Oil filter — 300 GD / 240 GD 617 180 00 09 · Expedition Imports ↗Oil filter — 280 GE 000 180 06 09 · Expedition Imports ↗Oil filter — 230 GE 000 180 24 09 · Expedition Imports ↗
Air filter	OE-type element	At purchase; more often in dust	Two element types: 230 G/240 GD/300 GD and 280 GE/230 GE.Air filter — 230 G / 240 GD / 300 GD · Expedition Imports ↗Air filter — 280 GE / 230 GE · Expedition Imports ↗
Fuel filter(s)	OE-type; diesels also have a pre-filter	At purchase	Old fuel and rusty tanks block filters. Auto Bild lists the fuel tank as a rust spot.Diesel spin-on fuel filter 001 092 04 01 · Expedition Imports ↗Inline diesel pre-filter 001 477 66 01 · Expedition Imports ↗Fuel filter (petrol) 002 477 45 01 · Expedition Imports ↗
Spark plugs / ignition (petrol)	Engine-specific plug confirm in manual	At purchase	Classic & Sports Car says poor running is often caused by vacuum leaks, so check the hoses while you're there.Spark plug — 280 GE · Expedition Imports ↗Spark plug — 230 GE · Expedition Imports ↗Ignition wire set — 280 GE (late) · Expedition Imports ↗
Coolant, radiator & thermostat	Mercedes-approved coolant confirm in manual	At purchase; coolant every few years	Classic & Sports Car warns of overheating and head warping, and says an old radiator is probably clogged. Pressure-test the system and replace a tired radiator.Thermostat 87 °C · Expedition Imports ↗Radiator cap 461 501 00 15 · Expedition Imports ↗Aluminium radiator — W460 · Expedition Imports ↗
Gearbox oil (manual) or ATF & filter (automatic)	Per manual confirm in manual	At purchase	Automatics take a filter and O-ring. Check manual boxes for noise and clonks (Classic & Sports Car).Automatic transmission filter 720 277 00 95 · Expedition Imports ↗Transmission filter O-ring · Expedition Imports ↗Transmission drain plug · Expedition Imports ↗
Transfer case (VG 080) oil	Per manual confirm in manual	At purchase	Look for leaks at the three output flanges while it drains.Output flange seal, outer · Expedition Imports ↗
Front & rear differential oil	Hypoid gear oil per manual confirm in manual	At purchase; after deep water crossings	Fit new drain/fill plugs and cover gaskets if they're weeping.Differential drain/fill plug · Expedition Imports ↗Differential cover gasket · Expedition Imports ↗
Locker hydraulics	Fluid per manual confirm in manual	At purchase	Bleed the system and test both locks. Locker lines are paired with the brake hoses on a W460, so replace aged flex lines together.Front brake / rear locker hose · Expedition Imports ↗Rear brake / front locker hose · Expedition Imports ↗
Brake fluid & hoses	DOT 4 confirm in manual	At purchase, then every 2 years	Check calipers, rotors and the rear drums on early trucks.Bleeder cap · Expedition Imports ↗Front brake pads · Expedition Imports ↗
Steering box & power steering	Fluid type marked on cap confirm in manual	At purchase	Classic & Sports Car lists steering box leaks as a standard check. Replace the pump filter.Power steering pump filter 000 466 21 04 · Expedition Imports ↗Sector shaft seal · Expedition Imports ↗
Front axle: kingpins, swivel seals, wheel bearings	Inspect and grease	At purchase	A weeping steering ball or bearing play means doing the whole corner.Kingpin bearing kit · Expedition Imports ↗Steering ball wipe seal · Expedition Imports ↗
V-belts	Engine-specific sizes	At purchase	Older engines use several V-belts rather than one serpentine belt; match the sizes to your engine.V-belt 13 × 1030 · Expedition Imports ↗V-belt 10 × 960 · Expedition Imports ↗

Capability

Top speed	79 mph (127 km/h) 300 GD; 103 mph (165 km/h) 280 GE factory figures via Wikipedia
0–100 km/h	27 s (300 GD); 14 s (280 GE); 32 s (240 GD)
Power / torque	88 PS / 172 N·m (300 GD); 156 PS / 226 N·m (280 GE)
Fuel economy	11.7–18.8 L/100 km (12.5–20 mpg US) 300 GD; 14.0–22.4 L/100 km (10.5–16.8 mpg US) 280 GE Mercedes cycle figures
Wheelbase	112.2 in (2,850 mm) long wheelbase

Wheels & tires

Factory tire	205 R16 or 215/80R16 on 16x5.5 steel wheels, depending on model
Bolt pattern	5x130
Center bore	84.1 mm
Lug thread	M14x1.5
Biggest tire · Stock	235/85R16 (≈32 in)

Open the G-Class W460 in the tire fitment tool →

Common G-Class W460 repairs

Always confirm torque figures, fluids and capacities against the factory service manual for your VIN. See the disclaimer; some parts links are affiliate links.